YOUTH were to the fore as Liphook & Ripsley made it two wins from two games to claim the early lead in the Southern Premier League Division One.

Teenagers Gabe Broadhurst and George Neave scored contrasting half-centuries as Liphook, inserted at Southern Gardens, amassed 263-7 and then dismissed Totton & Eling for 172.

Broadhurst, playing only his second SPL match, played the anchor role with 64 off 125 balls, sharing an opening partnership of 73 with Rob Nicklin (29).

Chris Martin went cheaply, but Suman Ganguly (41) joined the solid Broadhurst in a stand of 76 and Liphook reached 155-2 before a middle-order hiccup threatened to undo their good work.

Liphook were 195-7 after skipper Harry Munt had given Jimmy Taylor a return catch, but new all-rounder Neave proved his worth with a counter-attacking 55 not out off 52 balls.

An unbroken eight-wicket partnership of 68 with Sean Burton pushed Totton back on the defensive as Liphook surged to an intimidating total off their 50 overs.

The new-ball attack of Ganguly and Neave gave Totton no easy runs and the home team lagged behind the run-rate from ten overs onwards. Liphook were sharp in the field and all the bowlers contributed with at least one wicket.

Opener Jack Mellett (52 off 131 balls) played a disciplined innings for his side, but Totton never threatened to chase the total and were merely accumulating points. They resisted all down the order, but Burton (3-41) and spinner Dave Elliott (3-27) prised out the middle and late order.

With only three balls remaining, Elliott bowled last man Dan Collier and Totton were dismissed for 172.

Liphook host Rowledge in what should be an interesting local derby this Saturday (start 1pm).